Dangers of Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a very unique type of disease. There are millions of people affected by it throughout the world directly, having problems controlling their drinking and keeping their urges at bay. However, statistics do not often mention the problems that alcoholism can have to those who are close to the alcoholic.
In this article, well go over some of the dangers that alcoholism causes in order to help to more clearly illustrate what types of problems it can cause. Prolonged abuse of alcohol does a ton of bad things to the human body. Those who drink too much are at a much higher risk of developing many different kinds of cancer, as well as heart disease and strokes.
It can alter hormone levels, cause womens reproductive systems to not function properly, and cause severe cirrhosis of the liver. Alcohol-related crashes are a major cause for concern with respects to alcoholism. Studies that have been conducted by the United States Government have shown that 12.8 percent of all drivers that died in a car accident in the year of 2001 were intoxicated.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has also contended that as many as forty percent of all freeway accidents are the result of alcohol abuse. The family members of an alcoholic are among the most affected. Children of alcoholics may develop psychological dependencies that stay with them for life; many find themselves to be Adult Children of Alcoholics, referring to the fact that their development may have been hindered by their alcoholic parent.
There are many different types of support groups that can be useful for someone who is dealing with an alcoholic to join, and AlAnon and AlaTeen are two commonly used options. The economic impact of alcoholism is also something that needs to be considered when judging exactly how alcohol affects the world. Some estimates place between one and six percent of a countrys gross domestic product going towards alcoholism, which is a sign that the problem persists everywhere and is present in a large cross-section of the population.
Did You Know
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In recent years, the Justice System has begun to hold drunk drivers responsible for the damages they have caused. This goes beyond holding them legally responsible and now including monetary restitution to the victims and their families.
Another new weapon that is being used in the war against drunk driving is an intolerant legal system. It is a waste of time these days for a drunk driver to get an attorney and try to get a reduced sentence by pleading to a lesser charge.
Although the laws differ from state to state, most states no longer allow even first time offenders to get way without feeling the consequences of their driving under the influence.
In most states now even a first time offender faces a lengthy suspension of their license and at least a weekend in jail.
In order to get their license back, most states require the offenders to attend a DUI school, which includes an assessment with a professional counselor.
Many states have passes what is called the Habitual Violator Law, which provides felony penalties for three DUI convictions.
These violators lose their licenses permanently if not for many years and lose their civil liberties such as the right to vote or own a weapon. |
In the United States alone, experts have placed the number of alcoholics currently experiencing a problem at approximately 15 million. Another important thing to remember is that alcoholism is a debilitating the disease. The longer that you let a problem with drinking go unchecked, the more damaging it will be to your life. If you are experiencing problems with drinking too much, you may want to consider speaking with a therapist or going to a form of rehab.
Interesting Facts
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Don’t be ashamed, don’t place blame, don’t ignore the problem, don’t try to solve the problem alone, don’t try to reason with a drunk person, and don’t get into the car with a driver who has been drinking. |
Many people find that Alcoholics Anonymous groups can be useful when it comes to keeping the problem at bay. Its not easy to keep a case of alcoholism under control, and it takes a lot of hard work and dedication in order to successfully rid yourself of the problem. Its an important thing to remember, as many people lose faith that they can control the problem and are therefore more prone to giving up their quest for cleaning up their alcohol habits.
Alcoholism in the News
08/29/2008
CMU professor charged with three DUIs in rehab (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)
A Carnegie Mellon University professor who was charged with drunken driving three times in eight days has checked into a Virginia treatment center for alcoholism, his lawyer said today.
CMU professor charged with three DUIs in rehab (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)
08/29/2008
Beacon House celebrates 15th anniversary of service (Fond du Lac Reporter)
Beacon House of Fond du Lac recently celebrated 15 years of helping women who are recovering from alcoholism and/or chemical dependency.
Beacon House celebrates 15th anniversary of service (Fond du Lac Reporter)
08/28/2008
Breaking the Bonds -- New Memoir Recounts the Author's Battle With OCD and Alcoholism (GlobeNewswire via Yahoo! Finance)
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Aug. 28, 2008 -- Do you keep checking little things over and over again? Are you caught up in routines you are compelled to do? Are there persistent thoughts that circle endlessly in your mind?
Breaking the Bonds -- New Memoir Recounts the Author's Battle With OCD and Alcoholism (GlobeNewswire via Yahoo! Finance)
08/27/2008
Miss USA Tara Conner teaching charm school? (Los Angeles Times)
The 2006 Miss USA winner who almost lost her crown amid reports of alcoholism, drug abuse and promiscuity is back in a new MTV reality show.
Miss USA Tara Conner teaching charm school? (Los Angeles Times)
08/27/2008
Miss USA Tara Conner teaching charm school? (Los Angeles Times)
The 2006 Miss USA winner who almost lost her crown amid reports of alcoholism, drug abuse and promiscuity is back in a new MTV reality show.
Miss USA Tara Conner teaching charm school? (Los Angeles Times)
08/29/2008
Beacon House celebrates 15th anniversary of service (Fond du Lac Reporter)
Beacon House of Fond du Lac recently celebrated 15 years of helping women who are recovering from alcoholism and/or chemical dependency.
Beacon House celebrates 15th anniversary of service (Fond du Lac Reporter)
08/28/2008
Breaking the Bonds -- New Memoir Recounts the Author's Battle With OCD and Alcoholism (GlobeNewswire via Yahoo! Finance)
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Aug. 28, 2008 -- Do you keep checking little things over and over again? Are you caught up in routines you are compelled to do? Are there persistent thoughts that circle endlessly in your mind?
Breaking the Bonds -- New Memoir Recounts the Author's Battle With OCD and Alcoholism (GlobeNewswire via Yahoo! Finance)
08/28/2008
Study: 12 percent of Indian deaths due to alcohol (AP via Yahoo! News)
Almost 12 percent of the deaths among American Indians and Alaska Natives are alcohol-related — more than three times the percentage in the general population, a new federal report says.
Study: 12 percent of Indian deaths due to alcohol (AP via Yahoo! News)
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